Mary texted brother Kyle: “Hey! Have you put up the tree yet?” Kyle lives in the Dallas metroplex and, by long-standing tradition, does nothing Christmas-y until the Thanksgiving holiday is past. Little sister knows this—she just wants him to ask back, because of course, her tree is up and decorated. Her whole house is decorated!
Adult Mary adopted the mantra of living life to the fullest and not waiting, placing whatever brings joy at the top of her life list. Husband Alan embraces the philosophy, and each year our family waits in anticipation for the first photo of the Newcomb family Christmas tree.
This year’s tree is beautiful (I have received the official photo!), and since Zebedee has a new brother pup, Franklin, there are some adaptations to this year’s decorating for the holiday. Everything is extra-festive as usual but with the addition of a baby gate surrounding the tree. Kathy and I are planning a trip to catch Mary’s display of seasonal joy soon because—we tell each other often these days—we need a little Christmas now.
The Advent season, the grand lead-up to the miraculous birth, is filled with anticipation. That word’s association is wide-eyed wonder and joy of goodness to come. The word also tells of a deep longing for the fulfillment of a promise and the end of intense trials and tribulations. Years before Jesus’s birth at Bethlehem, God’s people walked in darkness, assured of a coming Light even while not seeing how or when newness would come. The waiting is the hardest part of every promise coming true.
Way back in childhood, I recall watching the 1974 Rankin-Bass holiday movie Twas the Night Before Christmas. The little mouse in the tale inadvertently delays Christmas because of his curiosity and meddling with the official beginning of the day at midnight. He realizes that he must correct events so that the day can come and bring the fulfillment of expectations to the town. The song featured in the movie plays on repeat in my mind at moments when I need a reminder of the great gift the Father bestowed when He sent His Son into this world.
“For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute—
Candles in the window, carols at the spinet…”
These days, I spend hours interviewing and writing the stories of redemption and returned hope in the lives of children and families impacted by the ministries of Baptist Children’s Homes and the women and men who are the hands and feet of our Lord and Savior. The difficult circumstances that people proclaim in their pasts are hard to hear. Sometimes, I bow my head in sorrow at humans’ inhumanity to our fellows.
“For I’ve grown a little leaner, grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder, grown a little older—
And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now…”
But juxtaposed with the good news of their present lives, at the intersection of Christ’s wonderful love, my heart resounds “Hallelujah!” to the One who takes us where we are and transforms us into the vision He intends. The end of my stories proclaims that lives are restored and hope is reclaimed, over and over again.
In our walks with the loving Almighty, He reveals His plan. We are called to be instruments where He places us. We are called to be faithful to His setting us apart for His glory. We are called to bear witness to His wondrous deeds among us until He comes in exaltation and we are united with Him for eternity. Think with me of the faithful men and women in scripture who walked in faith through trying times, believing the prayer that never fails: “Thy will be done.”
Life is difficult, and that is an understatement. But God is faithful. Jesus believers, one and all, have read the end of the story, and we know God is victorious.
So here we are, anticipating the wondrous love of the Father who sent His Son into the human world to draw us back to Him. While we wait to see God’s revelation, we have the Christmas season to anticipate. We rejoice in peace and love. We feel joy. We celebrate, through our devotion and in community.
“For we need a little music, need a little laughter,
Need a little singing ringing through the rafter—
And we need a little snappy, happy ever after,
We need a little Christmas now!”
My daughter is right, you know. When we know what brings joy, there is no reason to wait to celebrate. We can claim all the goodness of God’s grace, right now. I wish you every blessing of the season, my friends.
Written by Jim Edminson, Editor of Charity and Children